Julen Lopetegui Wants 'Even Better' Real Madrid After Cristiano Ronaldo Sale

New Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui stated his aim to turn Los Blancos into an even better side after taking charge of his first match in a 2-1 pre-season defeat to Manchester United in Miami on Tuesday.

The former Spain boss acknowledged the challenge of rebuilding the squad after Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, but he picked out Gareth Bale as a potentially crucial player in the coming season, per Perform (h/t AS): 

"I am delighted with the team I have here. We have the challenge of reinventing the team without a player such as Cristiano Ronaldo. I want to make this team even better than before. We have a squad chock full of excellent players, including Bale, and we want to have a good, united side."

It was far from a vintage performance from Real against the Red Devils, and Lopetegui will be unconcerned with the defeat given Bale and Karim Benzema were the only recognised first-teamers in the starting XI.

The French striker netted late in the first half after goals from Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera, but Real could not find an equaliser after the break at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Given Real have won the UEFA Champions League in each of the last three seasons, Lopetegui's aim to make the team even better is an ambitious one.

Adjusting to life without Ronaldo will be a huge challenge given the amount of goals he has scored for Real over the last nine years:

One of the players who may be used in the future as Real's attack develops is Vinicius Junior.

The 18-year-old Brazilian was presented at the Santiago Bernabeu last month, a year on from Real agreeing a £38.7 million deal with Flamengo to sign him.

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

The United clash was his first appearance in the famous white shirt, and Lopetegui praised the performance of the teenage attacker, per AS: "He played a good game. He has gone from less to more, just like the rest of the team. He started a little shy, but then he came on in leaps and bounds. He is very young and has to adapt to this style of football and what we ask of players. I thought he played a good game."

Real now face two more pre-season clashes against Juventus and Roma before meeting Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on August 15.